Exo Terra Desert Habitat Kit – The Ideal Enclosure for Desert Reptiles

The Exo Terra Desert Habitat Kit is the perfect all-in-one enclosure kit for housing small to medium sized desert dwelling reptiles. As reptile enthusiasts we know how time consuming and frustrating it can be trying to source all the separate components needed to set up a naturalistic terrarium habitat from scratch.

With the Exo Terra kit, all the essentials are included in one box, saving you both money and hassle. In this hands-on review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the key features, pros and cons, ideal inhabitants, ease of setup and maintenance for this great starter kit.

Overview of the Exo Terra Desert Kit

Exo Terra are well known for their excellent range of reptile keeping products and their habitat kits provide a complete setup right out of the box The desert kit comes in small (12 x 12 x 12 inches) and medium (18 x 18 x 18 inches) sizes.

The contents of the kit include:

• Glass terrarium with front opening doors
• Rock background
• Compact top canopy
• Analog hygrometer & thermometer
• Water dish
• Reptile cave
• Rock outcrop
• Barrel cactus replica
• Desert sand
• Care guide

Key features that make this an ideal habitat are the front and top ventilation, lockable doors, closable cable inlets, and waterproof bottom. The kits cater for a naturalistic desert theme with the inclusion of decor elements like the rock outcrop and barrel cactus.

The Benefits of the Habitat Kit

There are a number of benefits that make the Exo Terra Desert Habitat Kit stand out:

Convenience – The kit provides almost everything needed to set up a complete habitat in one handy box. This saves a lot of time and money compared to buying all the parts separately.

Quality Materials – Exo Terra is known for using high quality, non-toxic and safe materials in their products. The glass terrarium is durable and secure.

Ideal for Desert Species – With the inclusion of the rock decor, sand substrate and choice of sizes, this kit is perfect for small desert dwelling reptiles like leopard geckos, bearded dragons and uromastyx.

Well Ventilated – The mesh top and front ventilation windows help optimize air flow and prevent moisture build up. Ideal for species from arid environments.

Easy Maintenance – The front opening doors provide convenient access for decorating, cleaning and accessing your pet. Overall, the habitat is quick and simple to maintain.

Great for Beginners – For those new to the hobby, the kit takes the guesswork out of buying and provides an easy setup straight out of the box.

Downsides to Consider

While the Exo Terra Desert Kit provides excellent value, there are a few downsides to consider:

• The analog hygrometer and thermometer included are basic and less accurate than digital options.

• The compact fluorescent light is not included, so this will need to be purchased separately.

• The metal mesh lid is prone to rusting over time in humid environments.

• The loose desert sand may potentially cause impaction if ingested by reptiles.

Overall though, the pros of convenience and price easily outweigh these minor disadvantages for most keepers.

Suitable Inhabitants

The Exo Terra Desert Kit is an excellent starter habitat for the following popular desert dwelling reptile species:

Small Kit

• Leopard geckos
• African fat tailed geckos
• Sandfish skinks
• Tripoli geckos

Medium Kit

• Bearded dragons
• Uromastyx
• Collared lizards
• Spiny tailed lizards
• Sand boas

Both kit sizes also work nicely as temporary housing for juvenile reptiles that will later be moved into larger enclosures.

Setting Up the Habitat Kit

One of the biggest benefits of the Exo Terra Habitat Kit is the quick and easy setup. Here is an overview of getting your habitat up and running:

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the tank and decor items.
• Add 2-3 inches of desert sand evenly across the tank floor.
• Position the rock background on the back wall.
• Place the reptile cave on the cool side and the rock outcrop on the warm side.
• Add the barrel cactus and any other decorations.
• Install the light canopy and basking bulb.
• Put in the analog thermometer and hygrometer.
• Ensure temperature gradients and humidity levels are suitable.
• Add your reptile!

The entire setup process takes around 30 minutes or less. The included instructions provide lots of helpful setup and placement tips.

Caring for Your Habitat

Exo Terra enclosures are designed for quick and easy maintenance. Here are some habitat care basics:

Daily: Spot clean waste, uneaten food, and water as needed. Check temperatures.

Weekly: Thoroughly clean and disinfect water and food dishes. Trim plants if required.

Monthly: Complete tank cleanout including replacing substrate. Disinfect decor items.

The front opening doors provide convenient access to the inside making routine maintenance a breeze. Keeping the habitat clean is vital for your reptile’s health and wellbeing.

Is the Exo Terra Kit Value for Money?

Given the quality materials used throughout, and the fact that almost everything you need is included, the Exo Terra Desert Habitat Kit provides excellent value at a reasonable price point.

For keepers looking for an all-in-one habitat that doesn’t require shopping for separate components, the money and time savings are huge. The Exo Terra kit eliminates the challenges of trying to recreate a naturalistic setup from scratch.

Our Final Thoughts

For beginners starting out or experienced keepers looking for an instant desert themed habitat, the Exo Terra Desert Kit checks all the boxes. Convenience, quality construction, and great value make this a stand out ready-to-assemble terrarium kit.

While the included analog gauges could be better, and a few extra decor items would be nice, overall the kit provides almost everything most keepers need in one neat package. If you’re looking to create an ideal habitat for small desert dwelling reptiles, we highly recommend considering the Exo Terra Desert Habitat Kit.